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A census of the gannet (Sula serrator) in New Zealand

Notornis, 5 (2), 39-78

C.A. Fleming; K.A. Wodzicki (1952)

Article Type: Paper

In the 1946-47 breeding season the Ornithological Society of New Zealand conducted a census of the gannet (Sula serrator Gray) in New Zealand, the results of which form the subject of this paper. The distribution and annual cycle of the gannet are outlined, field work and methods of estimating the gannet population are described, and historical records summarized. In the main part of the paper, 32 gannet stations are catalogued and described, and their status and population assessed with the help of aerial photographs to supplement observations on the ground. The gannet population is assessed as 21,033 pairs, but may be as low as 18,000 or as high as 24,000, the large margin of error being due to inter- and intra-seasonal variables which cannot be determined at present. Although gannet colonies are distributed from the north to the south of the main islands of New Zealand (34˚ to 47˚ S lat.), 99.7 per cent. of the population breed north of 40˚ S. in sub-tropical waters. Scant historical data suggest that the population has increased during the past century. Finally, suggestions are made for future work on the gannet in New Zealand.
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